Edson is a 53-year-old man from Uganda. He and his wife are both small-scale farmers, and together they have six children, all school-going. Despite living on a limited and unpredictable income, Edson remains committed to providing for his family and ensuring that his children have the opportunity to attend school. However, Edson’s responsibilities extend far beyond his immediate family. He is currently responsible for a total of 17 people: his six children, his two elderly parents, and nine orphaned children whom he supports. This makes him the primary source of hope and survival for a remarkably large household. For about three years, Edson has lived with a mass behind his left knee, known as a left popliteal mass. The swelling has progressively increased in size and gradually interfered with his ability to perform his normal activities. For someone whose livelihood depends on physical labor, the condition has been especially challenging, as it has increasingly limited his ability to perform these duties. Edson has always trusted Rushoroza Hospital because of his previous knowledge of the quality of services provided there. When the swelling continued to increase and interfere with his daily activities, he decided to seek specialized medical attention. He travelled for approximately one hour to reach the hospital and spent about USD 4 on transportation. Upon arrival, Edson was assessed, and the findings revealed a lipoma requiring a major mass excision. The diagnosis gave Edson renewed hope. After struggling with the swelling for about three years, he finally has an opportunity to receive a lasting solution. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edson receive treatment. On September 1st, he will undergo mass excision surgery to relieve his discomfort, improve his mobility, and allow him to return to his farming activities. Now, Edson needs help to raise $261 to fund this procedure. Edson says, “I am responsible for 17 people, including my six children, my two elderly parents, and nine orphans. Today, I am the one who needs help, yet so many people depend on me. This swelling has taken away my ability to work and provide for them. I humbly appeal to the donors to help me receive this surgery. Your support will restore my health, my ability to work, and hope for the 17 people who depend on me. May God richly bless you for standing with me.”

Jailosi is a husband and father of five children from Malawi. For most of his life, 61-year-old Jailosi relied on farming to support his family. His routine, however, came to an abrupt halt when he suddenly began experiencing urinary problems that quickly became severe. The most troubling was urinary retention, leaving him unable to pass urine normally. To relieve the immediate problem, he was catheterised, a measure that has helped manage his symptoms, but has also brought discomfort and disrupted his daily life. Presently, farming work that once sustained his family has been put on hold as he focuses on seeking treatment and managing his health. This has affected his income and also weighed heavily on him emotionally. Hoping for a lasting solution, Jailosi went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was assessed and diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Doctors advised that surgery is needed to correct the problem. While the news brought hope, it also brought concern. Unable to work for months, Jailosi does not have the financial means to pay for the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund the procedure for Jailosi. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on June 3rd and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Jailosi's quality of life and allow him to get back to work. Jailosi said, “This illness has taken away my ability to work and live normally. I believe that if I receive this surgery, I will finally have peace of mind again. My greatest wish is to recover, return to my farm, and continue caring for my family.”

Reaksa is 14 years old and a 10th grader from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family and lives with her parents. Her father works as a chef in a restaurant, while her mother works as a cleaner. She enjoys studying Khmer literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes drawing and listening to music. Her favorite foods are sour fish soup and fried vegetables. Around the age of 10, Reaksa's mother first noticed that her daughter’s back was becoming curved. Over the years, the curvature gradually worsened. She now has severe scoliosis, with her spine bending significantly toward the right side and associated kyphosis. Her condition has begun to affect her daily life. She has difficulty walking and sitting for long periods, and the discomfort she experiences while sitting makes it difficult for her to concentrate in class. Despite these challenges, she continues to attend school and work toward her dream of becoming a teacher. Until now, her family has not been able to afford the treatment she needs. Her family learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), through social media and sought treatment. On August 18th, she will undergo posterior spinal fusion (PSF) from T3 to L3, a surgical procedure that uses instrumentation to correct and stabilize the curved portion of her spine. She needs help of $1,500 to help cover the costs of her surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. The surgery aims to improve the alignment of her spine and prevent the severe curvature from progressing further. Reaksa's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help manage my daughter’s severe spinal deformity, improve her comfort and posture, and allow her to stay active and continue her studies and daily activities. I want her to feel more confident and comfortable as she grows.”